Inconceivable!

I finally watched The Princess Bride all the way through tonight. I have seen bits and pieces of it many times, but never the whole thing.

I have this really bad habit of never being able to sit still through anything, especially an entire movie. Now, if I’m in a theater, it’s different… but if I’m at home and there’s other things to do (and there always is), I’ll eventually get up and do something else.

So, there are many, many movies that I haven’t seen at all (ie – Wizard of Oz, Godfather trilogy, Shawshank Redemption, MANY more), and movies I’ve only seen very little of (Star Wars movies, Indiana Jones movies, most musicals and classics).

It’s interesting, though, because I LOVE great film. Here’s my top list (of the ones I’ve actually seen all the way through!) [Disclaimer: I'm not condoning some of these as ones you want to watch with your family ... so be forewarned.]

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
3. Office Space (1999)
4. Amelie (French w/English subtitles) (2001)
5. 12 Angry Men (1957)
6. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
7. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
8. Fight Club (1999)
9. House of Yes (1997)
10. Clerks (1994)
11. Almost anything directed by Christopher Guest
12. Chicago (2002)
13. Sling Blade (1996)
14. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
15. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Aaaah… nostalgia

Yep, I’m an 80′s kid. Well, I was born in 1978, but most of my fondest childhood memories are from the 80s, let’s just put it that way. Ah, yes, playing with my Shrinky-Dinks and Pogo Ball … eating Jello gelatin pops and Marshmallow Rice Krispies … the multi-colored shoelaces … the flourescent ’day-glo’ clothing (eeek!)

I do have one thing to say: if the older generations wonder why our generation is so “weird,” they may want to remember the kind of TV programs our little minds were filled with back then. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Seriously, I’m a big fan of all things retro, including classic 80s kids TV programs. You can find a lot of 80s show clips on YouTube, but I’d give some serious $$ for full-length videos of some of these programs. 

Here’s a list of some of the shows (click on them for links to video clips) I watched as a kid. I guess that explains a lot. I’ll add to the list as I find more.

Manah Manah (Muppets)

Sesame Street Retro Pinball Counting Video 1-12

Sesame Street Aliens yep, yep, yep, yep, uh-huh, uh-huh …

Pinwheel Intro (theme song)

Mr. Wizard’s World Intro (theme song)

3-2-1 Contact Intro (theme song)

Square One PBS show Intro (theme song)

Out of Control (with Dave Coulier) show Intro (theme song)

You Can’t Do That On Television Intro (theme song)

Kids Incorporated Intro (theme song)

Small Wonder Intro (theme song)

Today’s Special Intro (theme song)

The Adventures of the Little Koala Intro (theme song)

The Mysterious Cities of Gold Intro (theme song)

Count Duckula Intro (theme song)

Danger Mouse Intro (theme song)

Things to do before I die

My only remaining grandparent, my maternal grandmother, died this morning. It was a good thing, though – she had Alzheimer’s, and she’s definitely in a better place now.

It’s got me thinking, though, about life. And my legacy. And lots of other things.

I know it’s a cliche, but I think maybe writing a list of things to do before you die gives you some good perspective. It will continue to be a work in progress, and I intend to revsit it and refine it from time to time.